The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) shook up the power sector this Friday, September 4, by authorizing the resumption of 136.9 MW in generation while terminating four photovoltaic projects.
Aneel has formalized new resolutions regarding the Brazilian generation park, balancing the return of thermal and hydroelectric assets with the cancellation of solar ventures in Rio de Janeiro. These decisions reflect both the recovery of infrastructure affected by extreme weather events and strategic adjustments in response to market fluctuations.
The operational restart is headlined by the UTE Petrolina plant in Pernambuco, which received authorization to bring eight generating units back online, totaling 132 MW. Managed by the Companhia Energética de Petrolina, the plant had been on technical hiatus since its regulated-market contracts expired, awaiting the schedule established by the Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCap).
Recovery following extreme weather
In addition to the Pernambuco plant, the PCH Furnas do Segredo, located in Rio Grande do Sul and operated by Jaguari Energética, also received the green light to operate its 4.9 MW. The facility had been forced to halt operations in early 2024 after being struck by severe floods that compromised its powerhouse during the state’s flooding crisis.
Cancellation of solar projects
In a contrasting move, the regulatory agency granted the request from Grussaí Siderúrgica e Geração de Energia do Açu to cancel four photovoltaic power plants (UFVs Dunas 1 through 4), totaling 174.4 MW in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro. According to the company, the withdrawal was driven by operational and financial challenges.
The unviability of the assets stems from factors beyond the company’s control, notably the restrictions imposed by the ONS, which directly impact profitability, compounded by the current scenario of oversupply in the system that exerts downward pressure on prices in the ACL (Free Energy Market).
The decision ends expectations for these solar projects and highlights the impact that dispatch limitations determined by the National Electric System Operator (ONS) are having on new investments. The sector is closely monitoring whether this trend of project abandonment will be replicated by other market agents facing transmission bottlenecks and the ongoing volatility of energy prices in the country.
